Chrysler’s Railroad … True or False???

The following story was sent to me via E-mail.  I did not write this myself and I am unable to verify all of it, but I also cannot find anything that refutes it.  At the very least, a large part of it, appears to be true!  Is there anyone out there that can shed accurate, verifiable, support to the validity of this story?  If it is actually true, it is a serious issue.  Papa B.

photo credit: wstera2

Below “The Story“ as I received it:

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Chrysler’s Railroad

This could be a scandal of epic proportions and one that makes Nixon’s Watergate or Clinton ‘s Monica Lewinsky affair pale by comparison.

Why was there neither rhyme nor reason as to which dealerships of the Chrysler Corporation were to be closed?

Roll the clock back to the weeks just before Chrysler declared bankruptcy. Chrysler, like GM, was in dire financial straits and federal government “graciously” offered to “buy the company” and keep them out of bankruptcy and “save jobs.”  Chrysler was, in the words of Obama and his administration, “Too big to fail,” same story with GM.

The feds organized their “Automotive Task Force” to fix Chrysler and GM. Obama, in an act that is 100% unconstitutional, appointed a guy named Steve Rattner to be the White House’s official Car Czar – literally, that’s what his title is.  Rattner is the liaison between Obama, Chrysler, and GM.  Initially, the national media reported that Chrysler ‘had made this list of dealerships’. … Not true!

The Washington Examiner, Newsmax, Fox News and a host of other news agencies discovered that the list of dealerships was put together by the “Automotive Task Force” headed by no one other than Mr. Steve Rattner.

The plot thickens.

Remember earlier we said that there was neither rhyme nor reason why certain dealerships were closed?    

Actually there’s a very interesting pattern as to who was closed down.  Again, on May 27, 2009, The Washington Examiner and Newsmax exposed the connection.

Amazingly, of the 789 dealerships closed by the federal government, 788 had donated money, exclusively to Republican political causes, while contributing nothing to Democratic political causes.  The only “Democratic” dealership on the list was found to have donated $7,700 to Hillary’s campaign, and a bit over $2,000 to John Edwards. This same dealership, reportedly, also gave $200.00 to Obama’s campaign.

Does that seem a little odd to you?

Steve Rattner is the guy who put the list together. Well, he happens to be married to a Maureen White.  Maureen happens to be the former national finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee.  As such, she has access to campaign donation records from everyone in the nation- Republican or Democrat.

But of course, this is just a wacky “coincidence,” we’re certain.

Another really wacky “coincidence” ???

On that list of dealerships being closed down, a weird thing happened in Arkansas , North Louisiana, and Southern Missouri.   It seems that Bill Clinton’s former White House Chief of Staff, Mack McClarty, owns a chain of dealerships in that region, partnered with a fellow by the name of Robert Johnson.

Johnson happens to be founder of Black Entertainment Television and was a huge Obama supporter and financier.  These guys own a half dozen Chrysler stores under the company title of RLJ-McClarty-Landers.

Interestingly, none of their dealerships were ordered closed - not one!

While all of their competing Chrysler/Dodge and Jeep dealership were!

Eight dealerships located near the dealerships owned by McClarty and Johnson were ordered shut down.

Thus, by pure luck, these two major Obama supporters now have virtual monopoly on Chrysler sales in their zone. Isn’t that amazing?

More to The Story:

According to the story:  Go look in The Washington Examiner, the story’s there, and it’s in a dozen or so other web-based news organizations; this isn’t being made up.

Chrysler now owned by Fiat?

Now if you thought Chrysler was owned by Fiat, you are mistaken. Under the federal court ruling, 65% of Chrysler is now owned by the federal government and the United Auto Workers union!

Fiat owns 20%.

The other 15% is still privately owned and presumably will be traded on the stock market.  Obama smiles and says he doesn’t want to run the auto industry.

As horrifying as this is to comprehend, and being as how this is still the United States of America , it would appear that the president has the power to destroy private businesses and eliminate upwards of 100,000 jobs just because they don’t agree with his political agenda.

If this story is really true, this is Nazi Germany stuff, and it’s happening right here, right now, in our back yard.  There are voices in Washington demanding an explanation, but the “Automotive Task Force” has released no information to the public or to any of the senators Demanding answers for what has been done.

Keep your ear to the ground for more on this story.  If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference about anything in your life, get on the phone to your national senator or representative in the House and demand an investigation into this.  Benjamin Franklin had it right when he said, “All that’s necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”

Car Czar No More

An amazing thing happened as this story was going to press.  Obama’s Car Czar, Steve Rattner, resigned on July 13 and was promptly replaced by former steel workers union boss Ron Bloom.

According to CBS News, Rattner left “to return to private life and spend time with his family. “Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said, “I hope that he takes another opportunity to bring his unique skills to government service in the future.”

By the way, Rattner is under investigation for a multi-million dollar pay-to-play investment bank scandal in New York ….Uh-oh!

But, we’re certain that had nothing to do with his resignation.  And, according to several news sources out there, there are rumors he’s being investigated for what could be pay-to-play scandal involving the closing of Chrysler and GM dealerships. Really? Again, that couldn’t have anything to with his resignation-that’s ridiculous!  Like CBS said, this guy just wants to “spend more quality time with his family.”

Obama has 32 personally appointed “czars” who answer to no one but him, all of whom are acting without any Constitutional authority.

But hey, we’re sure they all have “unique skills,”……as Tim Geithner likes to say!

SOOOOO. HOW’S THE CHANGE WORKING FOR YOU?..

Check it out at the following websites…..

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot..com/2009/05/hope-change-car-czar-behind-chrysler.html

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/Obamas-auto-policy-All-in-the-Democratic-family-44414452.html -

This goes beyond corruption in high places – to gross criminal actions on the part of our government!  I hope you will spread this far and wide, and hopefully the taxpaying public will demand some of that transparency we were promised……followed by criminal prosecution of the perpetrators!

What a crooked government we have!!!!! Vote ‘em all out…November, 2010

End of Story!

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The above story was as I received it!  Where do people come up with this Stuff???  Interesting … but can this actually be true?

Or… Is it just another day in Chicago/ Washington politics?

I will gladly post all comments.  Let the battle begin!   Papa B.

Will health care reform mean headaches, increased costs, and penalties … or hidden dividends?

photo credit: wirwuenscheneinbierinternationalereisegesellschaft

What do the federal health care reforms mean for your company?  Will it mean increased costs or savings in years to come? … or …  Will it lead to thousands of dollars in extra costs and more paperwork?  Will federal subsidies make this a “game changer” for small companies that have struggled to provide insurance plans and actually improve the coverages for their employees and also offer a savings? …  or … Will it just drive them to pay penalties and  just let their employees purchase their own insurance.  Check below for how it may affect you.

If You Employ 50 or More People

If You employ 50 or more people you will face a major choice beginning in 2014:

• Sponsor a health plan for 100% of your workers (even those signed up for government-subsidized health insurance).

or

• Pay $750 per worker in penalties to the federal government.

A business might opt to take the penalty and do away with health insurance. Paying the annual penalty might be cheaper.  So that would leave the employees uninsured, and they would have to go to state health plan exchanges to buy health coverage that could be more expensive.  Some analysts warn that another macroeconomic effect might result – years of high unemployment.  They think that increased insurance costs will discourage business hiring in the next decade.

The new reforms don’t put any caps on health insurance premiums.  Insurers have every reason to hike rates before the new insurance markets come around in 2014 with added competition.

If You Employ 25-49 People

If you employ 25-49 people, you won’t face this choice.  The government won’t require companies with fewer than 50 employees to offer health insurance starting in 2014, and therefore these companies won’t have to contend with possible fines like their big brothers.  But while firms with 50 or fewer workers would be exempt from coverage provisions, they will still have to contend with rising premiums.

If You Employ Less Than 25 People

A major tax credit for smaller firms and “solopreneurs”?  (There’s a new word.)

If you employ less than 25 or are self-employed, you may find that the healthcare reforms actually bring you tax relief.

Beginning in 2010, companies with less than 25 employees that pay the majority of health care premiums for their workers qualify for a tax credit up to 35% of their premiums. (In 2014, that credit could be as great as 50% of premiums if you arrange insurance via one of the Small Business Health Options Programs, or SHOP Exchanges).

The tax break you get will depend on a couple of variables:

1. The number of employees you have
2. Their average salary.

What about Sole Proprietor-ships?

The above  tax break won’t be offered to sole proprietorships.  That factor may encourage you to incorporate or become an LLC.

If you own a smaller company, insurance might become cheaper.  The idea is that small businesses can pool together in the SHOP Exchanges and negotiate insurance coverage as a group.  Greater buying power, in theory, implies lower premium costs.

Businesses with 100 or fewer workers can jump into a state SHOP Exchange pool starting in 2014; states can also choose to limit the pools to firms with 50 or fewer employees through 2016.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the SHOP Exchanges would lower annual premiums for these businesses by 1-4% with a 3% increase in the amount of coverage.  That could mean a savings of more than $10 billion nationally.  That all remains to be seen.  Based on the accuracy of previous estimates, I wouldn’t hold my breath!

If You Work For Yourself

If you work for yourself, you will likely be able to take advantage of government health care subsidies in 2014.  If you are self-employed in 2014 and earn less than four times the poverty level, you can qualify for these subsidies.  In 2010, 400% of the poverty level comes to $88,200 for a family of four.

Some Important Notes for 2011.

1. In 2011 as a result of the new law, a business will have to report the value of an employee’s health care coverage on W-2 forms.
2. Many companies provide coverage for employee dependents not enrolled in other employer-based health plans up to age 22 or 23; next year, that age limit will rise to 26.
3. All lifetime caps on insurance policies offered through employer-sponsored plans will be eliminated in 2011.
4. Penalties will increase for the misuse of HSA funds.
5. Workers with FSAs and HSAs will not be reimbursed for money used for over-the-counter drug purchases.

Let’s call this our first “weekender”!  A good friend of mine sent me this You Tube video.  I am pretty sure some will find this offensive.  I know some will think it is funny.  Personally … I find it funny.  No matter, either way, let us know what you think.  Give us your opinion?  Papa B.

What does health care reform include … REALLY?  How does a boomer like me separate the the Facts(Bull) from the Myths(Crap)?  One side says one thing.  The other side says something completely different about the same fact.  One thing for sure, both sides have their own spin on what is and isn’t in the bill.  At least some of that spin seems to me to be a distortion of the English language.  Some of the spin is a blatant distortion of the truth.

photo credit: Wheezy Jefferson

At this point, some of the arguments your friends, neighbors or co-workers continue to debate don’t even factor into the legislation signed by President Obama.  Below are a few questions and answers.  

Questions From you … Answers from the White House.

So, what’s the truth behind the Affordable Health Care for America Act?  The following are a list of questions and answers with a definite White House “spin”.

Question: Will I be forced to change insurance?
White House Answer: No. That’s a MYTH.  If you’re satisfied with your current plan, you can keep it.

Truth: That is technically true, until such time as your current plan is no longer offered because the Company you work for can no longer afford to offer it, or you can’t afford the higher cost of it.  Even then you will not be forced to change … you just won’t be able to afford it, so you will want to change!  Papa B.

Question: Will illegal immigrants now be covered by our money?
White House Answer: No. That’s a MYTH.  In fact, undocumented immigrants are expressly excluded from coverage. Only legal immigrants who pay their share will be covered.

Truth: They are already covered by our money! The only thing they are expressly excluded from is paying for it.  They have better coverage than you and I already! They show up in the emergency room and don’t pay a cent. I am thinking about looking into how to become one.  Papa B.

Question: Will I go to jail or be harassed by the IRS if I don’t have health coverage?
White House Answer: No. That’s a MYTH.  In 2014 Americans (except Native Americans, Inmates or those with religious objections) will be required to have health insurance or pay an annual penalty. True.   However, the law prevents the IRS from using levies, liens or seizing property. Additionally, the IRS cannot impose criminal penalties (such as time in jail).

Truth: In 2014 if you don’t have health care insurance you won’t go to Jail, but you will pay a fine(penalty).  As currently laid out in the bill, the IRS will check monthly to make sure you have insurance.  If you don’t have insurance they will begin deducting withholding from you to pay the penalty(fine).  The IRS will have no need to “harass” you, they will simply take it from you.  The good news is that the fine, as defined today, is far less expensive for most than paying for the insurance coverage.  So … why buy it if you don’t think you need it.  Go to the emergency room and let the rest of us pay it … like we do now.  Papa B.

Question: I heard there was going to be a 10% tax increase across the board. Is that true?
White House Answer: No. That is a MYTH.  While there will be tax implications, most of the biggest changes apply to medical manufacturers, insurers and pharmaceutical companies.  In fact, some Americans may see no changes at all. Tax changes that could affect average individuals include …
• A 10% sales tax on indoor tanning (yes, really)
• A 0.9% increase on the Medicare tax rate
• A 3.8% tax on investment income for individuals earning more than $200,000 and households earning more than $250,000
• Taxes on high-end or “Cadillac” health care plans (this excise tax would not begin until 2018 and only apply to insurers of plans that exceed $10,200 annually for individual coverage, or $27,500 annually for family coverage)

Truth: 100% Bull … nope, I mean 100% Crap… no, I mean 100% Bull Crap! I don’t even know where to start.  All taxes affect the average individual,  no matter where they are imposed, or how big the company is that they impose them on, the they are eventually paid for by the individual tax payer in the price of the product or service that “big company” provides! Tax increases to medical manufacturers, insures, and pharmaceuticals affect will affect every average American. Companies don’t pay taxes!  People Do!

Now the tanning tax, that’s just plain hilarious.  The reasoning behind that one is that tanning inside causes health care cost to go up because of cancer implications.  Probably true, but then why can I ride a motorcycle without a helmet without paying a tax?  It sort of the same logic as not being able to smoke in a bar but, let’s legalize marijuana! The good news is that if you already have a tan, or you don’t really want a tan, this is one tax you won’t have to pay. Papa B.

Question: Will the government now pay for abortions?
White House Answer: No. That’s a MYTH.  The law already in place which prevents using federal money to fund abortions (except in cases of rape, incest, or danger to a woman’s life) is not being altered.
Truth: Finally, … the truth! … The government doesn’t pay for anything!  The tax payer does! You, however, will only have to pay for “legal” abortions per the “current” bill!  Papa B.

Question: Will I have to pay for other people’s abortions?
White House Answer: No. That’s a MYTH.  Those opposed to abortion will not be forced to assist in funding them. You can simply select a plan that does not offer them. This applies not only to people who may have objections to abortions on moral grounds, but also to those who simply have no reason to pay an extra premium for that type of coverage (such as women past their child bearing years or single men).

Truth: Read that answer again.  The first part of the answer, “No. That’s a Myth.” is just not true! One more time … if the government pays for any abortions, it comes straight out of your (the taxpayers) pocket. Your taxes will be paying for legal abortions. The rest of that answer makes no sense at all to the question.  It simply says that you can select a plan for yourself that won’t cover your own abortions.   Papa B.

Question: Does the “Public Option” mean the government will run health care?
White House Answer: No. That’s a MYTH … and a non-factor at this point.  In fact, the “public option” did not make it into the final legislation that President Obama signed. THERE IS NO PUBLIC OPTION. Even before it was dropped from the bill, it was misunderstood to be government-run health care – wherein the government would make your health care decisions. Rather, it would have been government-provided insurance option to compete with private insurance.

Truth: True, it didn’t make the bill … yet.  But again, It doesn’t answer the question.  The question asks whether the ‘Public Option” means the government will run health care not whether it is included in the this bill.  However, I would define a “government-provided insurance option to compete with private insurance” as a government run “public option”.   Papa B.

Question: Will my Medicare benefits be cut in order to extend care to others?
White House Answer: No. That, too, is a MYTH.  Brooks Jackson, director of FactCheck.org, says that although the reform package includes $500 billion in “cuts”, it does NOT include traditional Medicare benefit reductions.

Truth: Read the answer. The question is, “Will my medicare benefits be cut”?  The answer above says that “although the reform package includes $500 billion in cuts”, it “does not include traditional medicare benefit reductions“. Define “traditional Medicare reductions” That simply says it won’t cut the benefits that they traditionally cut before.  It leaves a lot of other medicare benefits that weren’t traditionally cut! Papa B.

Question: Does this mean that “death panels” are now a reality?
White House Answer: No. And they never were.  This myth was based on misunderstanding of a provision in the original bill that required payment, by Medicare, for health care practitioner-led end-of-life counseling.  This is not part of the law.
Truth: Correct!  There are no “Death Panels” in this bill.  However, the term did not just refer to required payment for “end of life counseling.  It also referred to panels of people who will determine what procedures your government health care insurance will pay for based on your situation such as age, medical history, etc.  That, in fact, is a part of this bill. Papa B.

Confused?

Confusing doesn’t even begin to describe it.  Throughout the very long debate over health care reform, a great deal of misinformation, some of it spurred by presumption or misunderstanding, was circulating.  Additionally, many changes and alterations to the proposed law were made along the way.  It is so complex, there were so many changes, and so many spins, that no one really knows what it all means or cost.   A couple of things are for certain.

1. If it really adds coverage for an additional 30 million people who currently don’t have insurance it can’t cost less.
2. No matter what the cost  … You and I are going to pay for it!

As for me … I still very confused.   You can read more at whitehouse.gov/healthreform … just don’t believe everything you read!  Whether it is Fact or Myth it is still hard to sort through the Bull Crap!  Papa B.

When it comes Chrysler the hedge fund managers were asked to take one for the Obama team.  Fortunately, for their investors they did their job, as they should have, and took one for their own team!  Hedge funds hold approximately $1 billion in Chrysler bonds.  It was those hedge fund managers that refused the government’s offer to take approximately thirty cents on the dollar.  Obama turned around and accused them of holding out “for the prospect of an unjustified taxpayer-funded bailout.”  The only things “unjustified” in this case are taxpayer-funded bailouts to begin with and for a U.S. President to criticize financial business managers for doing their job!

Financial Industry Outraged and Fearful

Many in the hedge fund industry have been outraged but not many have spoken out publicly. There are even questions about whether the Obama administration threatened to ruin them if they did not agree to his plan.  The industry is genuinely afraid in the face of Obama’s power.  

Cliff Asness, whose firm manages some $20 billion of assets, has written an open letter blasting President Obama for his attack on the hedge fund industry in the wake of the Chrysler bankruptcy wrote the following in an open letter:

• “Let’s be clear, it is the job and obligation of all investment managers, including hedge fund managers, to get their clients the most return they can. They are allowed to be charitable with their own money, and many are spectacularly so, but if they give away their clients’ money to share in the “sacrifice”, they are stealing.”
• “The President screaming that the hedge funds are looking for an unjustified taxpayer-funded bailout is the big lie writ large. Find me a hedge fund that has been bailed out. Find me a hedge fund, even a failed one that has asked for one. In fact, it was only because hedge funds have not taken government funds that they could stand up to this bullying. The TARP recipients had no choice but to go along.”
• “The President’s attempted diktat takes money from bondholders and gives it to a labor union that delivers money and votes for him. Why is he not calling on his party to “sacrifice” some campaign contributions, and votes, for the greater good?  Shaking down lenders for the benefit of political donors is recycled corruption and abuse of power.”

He admitted himself he was “fearful writing this”.  Clifford Asness is exactly right!  “It is the job and obligation of all investment managers, including hedge fund managers, to get their clients the most return they can”.  For more on Cliff Asness (click here)

We Still Live in the USA

Why, in the United States of America, should anyone be afraid of the government  for doing their job legally and properly or worse yet be afraid to express their honest opinion?  Isn’t that and legalizing marijuana what liberals fight for?  Something is drastically wrong.

In a historical move President Obama removed the CEO of General Motors for not doing his job!  Never in U.S. history has the President of the United States removed a CEO from a publicly held company.

Simple Business Question: “What are you here for?”

An Investment Managers obligation is to his investors.  If you ask someone working for Chrysler or GM the simple question, “What is Chrysler or GM here for?”  Many would say “to build automobiles”.  Wrong!  Wrong!  Wrong!  It is to make money!  Building automobiles and selling them is only a means of making money; exactly the same as any other business; exactly the same as an investment manager or hedge fund manager.  Their job is to make money.

By not yielding to the Presidents threats these hedge fund managers are doing their job!  If any of these hedge fund managers yield to the Obama pressure they should not only be fired, but they should be prosecuted for theft.  If my investment manager accepted such a deal I would be pursuing the real law, not Obama’s.

That is not a threat to my Investment manager!  It is a damn promise!!!

This is still the USA!!!  At least for now!!!  Papa B.

1. George Bush can’t fire his own US Attorneys that report to him, but … Barrack Obama can fire the CEO of GM!
2. GM’s CEO is fired for lack of performance over the past two years, but … Nancy Pelosi and Barney Frank can’t be fired from their jobs for even worse performance over the last two years!
3. Nancy Pelosi can criticize executives from the big three US automakers for flying on private jets because they are far too expensive, but … she can fly on tax payer money to the toon of over $250,000 per month with her family and friends without a blink of an eye!
4. George Bush is blamed for creating a deficit of one trillion dollars over eight years, but … Barrack Obama doubles that in his first twenty days in office and nobody cares!
5. A republican congressman can be driven from office for tapping his foot in a restroom stall, But … Barney Frank can have a boyfriend and nothing happens!
6. There have been relentless attacks on Sarah Palin’s and her children for personal issues, but… Joe Biden ‘s son can work directly for Bernie Madoff’ and his scheme to defraud people out of billions of dollars and it gets buried!
7. Sarah Palin is made fun of because she says you can see Russia from Alaska (which is true) , but …  Barrack Qbama can visit 57 states with a couple left to go and he gets a free pass!
8. When the stock market is at 9500 and the unemployment rate is 5.8% , George Bush says the fundamentals of the economy are strong and Barrack Obama heavily criticises him saying he “doesn’t get it“ , But … when the stock market is sub 6500 and the unemployment rate is above 8.0%, Barrack Obama himself says the fundamentals of the economy are sound!  And that flies!

Sorry, Papa B has been listening to this crap for too many years and is very confused! … I must admit, this Boomer doesn’t get it either!

Help me please!  All comments appreciated!

President Barack Obama forces CEO Rick Wagoner to resign for $20,000 000 and promises to guarantee automobile warranties!  This is the first time ever that the U.S. government has fired a CEO of a large corporation.   Wagoner out, bank CEOs Safe!  Huh?!

President has “No Interest or Intentions of Running GM” … Oops, too late!

In a news conference following the resignation of Rick Wagoner, the President said that ”the United States government has no interest or intentions of running GM”, however … that is exactly what he is doing.  It is the job of the Board of Directors to hire and fire the CEO.  Barack Obama, whether he thinks so or not,  just took over the responsibility of the Board of Directors.  There is no decision more important to a corporation.  He claims he has a new “vision” for GM in the future.  What makes his “vision” a valid business plan?

U.S. Goverment to Guarantee Automobile Warranties?

He went on to say that the US Government would guarantee automobile warranties.  Warranties are a business within themselves.  They are sold … not given away.   The price of the protective warranty is built into the price of the vehicle when it is sold.  The money is made up front.  Warranty reserves are set up to pay for the estimated repairs based on failure experience rates or “Service Call Rates”.   This is basic to all products that provide warranties.  There are tons of businesses out there that would be happy to take over the warranties and service of every car sold … as long as they get paid!  Now it seems the President is willing to let the US taxpayer pay for them after GM has already taken the money!  This shows the total lack of understanding of basic business by the White House.   

Which is Worse?

Which is worse,  letting GM and Chrysler be reorganized through bankruptcy courts with a chance of surviving stronger or letting them completely fail by letting the White House take over and call the shots?  What gives the White House the experience or knowledge to run one of the largest companies in the world?  Is it the great success with the takeover of AIG?  Could it be the great success the U.S. Government has shown with Amtrak and the US Postal Department?  So, far as I can recall, no one I know of currently in the White House has ever so much as ran a Dairy Queen.

Please don’t misunderstand what I am saying.  I don’t know whether Rick Wagoner should resign or not.  He probably should! (For twenty million bucks I sure would!)  However, the guy who just asked him to do so has zero business experience and an obvious lack of business knowledge.  The White House definitely has no business making that type of decision for any Corporation.

The White House continuing to believe they know how to run the Auto Industry is ludicrous.  Whether it be arrogance, overconfidence, or just plain lack of experience and knowledge doesn’t matter.  Continuing to burn huge amounts of taxpayer money to avoid restructuring in bankruptcy is not the answer.  Government running large corporations is not the answer.

A Real Boomer’s Answer

Cut off the money!  They should never have got any in the first place.  Let the Corporations figure out their own path to success or failure.  They will figure it out.  They have a much better chance of succeeding without government help!  There are times when doing nothing is the right answer!  Papa B.

Also see:

Auto Bailout or Bust?  Should Boomers Believe It?

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich seems to be setting himself up for an insanity plea in his criminal trial.  It really doesn’t take that much set up.  Let’s face it, he is not stupid but he is definitely “Nuckin’ Futs”!  He actually thinks it’s everyone else that is crazy.  In his own way he’s pleading insanity for the rest of the world.  One of his best supporters in the past, and big time power player in the Chicago political corruption machine, Mayor M. Daily (son of Richard J. Daily) even called him cuckoo!  I don’t blame the Mayor.   He has to feel a little threatened and he needs to convince others that Blago is crazy before he gets dragged in deeper himself.  And what about good old Emil Jones?

Did Emil Jones Get Out Just in Time?

Emil Jones, President of the Illinois Senate, has been uncharacteristically quiet. Blago’s long time strongest supporter conviently announced his resignation just before the Feds closed in and arrested his buddy.  Prior to this Jones was a high profile Blagojevich supporter.  Ever since the arrest we haven’t heard a word from him.  Emil was also the person most responsible for Barrack Obama becoming a U.S. Senator to begin with.   

What About Blago’s Other Friends?

All of his best friends, including Barrack Obama, act as if they barely know him.  Obama was one of Blagojevich’s top three advisers the last time Blago was re-elected.  Why are they jumping ship?  Because everyone knows that Blago is political poison, a narcissistic nut case, and more than willing to take them down with him.  He is dropping names, and when he finally figures out he isn’t going to get out of jail time, he will really spill his guts.  When that happens, we all may be surprised who goes down.  Some of  the other big names include, Obama’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s Senior Advisor Valerie Jarret, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and many more.  He wanted to be able to supeana them as witnesses in his Senate trial.  How would you like to be one of them called for that duty?  I don’t think he would have gotten any volunteers.   He even admitted that they would only show under supeana.

Now please, tell me how any of these people could possibly stand up under oath and testify against him without implicating themselves.  If he gets them on the stand the only choice they have is to claim they had no inappropriate conversations with him or to plead the fifth!  They are ruined if they say anything different!  He has them by the short hairs.  He is a crook but he isn’t a stupid crook.  Don’t worry Barrack, the news media will make sure your butt is covered.  I’m sure when this is all over, somehow you will be a hero for saving us from all the crooked Illinois politicians!

Not Just a Senate Seat issue.  Don’t forget the rest of the Charges?

Unfortunately, the news media has settled in on his attempted sale of the Barrack Obama Senate seat, but they quickly forget that the charges go way beyond just that.  That is just one of many charges.  Even if he were to be found not guilty of auctioning off the Senate seat, since no money actually changed hands, he still has plenty of other charges to answer to.  One of which is threatening to withhold substantial state assistance to the Chicago Tribune in connection with the sale of Wrigley field in attempt to force the Tribune into firing some of its employees who had been critical of him in the media.  I think they call that extortion!  Other allegations include, withholding state assistance to a children’s hospital in exchange for $50,000 from a top hospital executive, withholding signature on other important legislation pending receipt of personal campaign funding.  The charges include things such as conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, solicitation of bribery, extortion, mis-appropriation of funds, and abuse of power.  I am from Illinois and let me tell you, nothing surprises me with this jerk wad.

Blago’s Lawyer Resigns!

Last week his lawyer even announced he was resigning from the criminal case because he prefers to have a client that listens.  He said he doesn’t insist his clients always follow his advice, but does expect them to at least listen once in a while.  This guy hasn’t listened to anyone for the last six years and now refuses to listen to his own lawyer.

Hires same PR firm as Drew Peterson

Launching a PR campaign, he compared himself to an honest, hardworking cowboy and said he was about to be “lynched by a band of black-hatted political insiders eager to raise taxes”.   He hired the same PR firm as Drew Peterson.  He is boycotting his own trial in the Senate because he says it is so unfair.  Besides there isn’t time for it with his busy PR schedule.

The Blago Media Blitz and Side Show – Boomer’s Ain’t Buyin it!

Monday January 25,2009

• NBC’s Today Sow 9taped in Chicago
• ABC’s Good Morning America
• ABC’s The View
• CNN’s Larry King Show (Click Here)
• FOX’s On The Record with Greta Van Susteren
• Fox and Friends

Tuesday January 26, 2009

• 6:45 AM – CBS’s Evening News (taped before the CBS’s The Early Show)
• 7:00 AM – CBS’s The Early Show
• 8:10 AM – Fox and Friends
• 8:45 AM’s  – Studio (450 W. 33rd St)
• 10:30 AM – Fox Business Network (1211 Avenue of America)
• 11:15 AM – In Session/ TruTV : Jami Floyd: Best Defense (600  3rd Avenue)
• 12:30 – Glenn Beck (FOX) (Click Here)
• 1:30 PM – Campbell Brown (CNN Center)
• 2:00 PM – Rachel Maddow (30 Rockefeller Center)
• 2:30 PM – Greta Van Susteren (undisclosed Location)

• 3:30 PM DL Hughley (CNN Center)

Stick To the Talking Points – Never Answer The Question!

I watched them all!  His strategy was simple.  You could have pre-taped his responses in the first interview and played it in all the others.  No matter what the question, the answer was the same!  He sounded like a broken record.  He denied any wrong doing and stuck to his talking points like any good politician.  Same story over and over.   The only thing new brought to the table was that he  revealed he seriously considered Oprah Winfrey for the Obama Senate slot.  She definitely has the money to pay for it!  He never did actually ask her according to her.   Heraldo was ridiculous, as always, and actually supported this guy.  Larry King tried his best to get an answer, and actually seemed frustrated that he couldn’t crack him.  He is no dummy, just an arogant crook in deep “doo-dah”  My favorite was the Glenn Beck interview.  Probably the only one really worth watching again – is the Glenn Beck interviews;  ” Blago vs. Beck Part One and Part Two: (Click Here)

NEWS FLASH!!! After boycotting his trial and the huge Media Blitz to try his case in the “court of public opinion“, now the Blago changes his mind and wants to attend his Senate trial on the last day with a closing statement.  Ain’t that special.  First, he refuses to be there to answer the questions under the premise that the trial was a sham and unfair, and now he wants to attend for a closing statement in front of more News media!   What a circus!

I think they should handle this guy the same way an old boomer boss of mine would have done it!

First …Fire Him!  Then … take him out behind the building and Beat the crap out of him!

Sorry, the next circus event is about to begin … his closing statement in front of the Illinois Senate.  Stay tuned, more to come.  Papa B

NEWS FLASH UPDATE !!! Blago tossed out by vote of ( 59 – 0 )… Now X-Governor of Illinois! Sounds like his PR Firm must be crooks too.  If  I was Blago, I would want my money back!  I think they are doing  just about as well with the Drew Peterson case.  I’m not sure I understand the strategy of him telling the Senate that he did the same things his first term and, if they were going to impeach him, they should have done it then … Instead the people re-elected him.  Not a great defense in my opinion.  Maybe he really is crazy!  Papa B.

Related Articles:

1. Mr. Unpopularity
2. Hired Drew Peterson’s PR firm
3. Blagojevich Impeached By Illinois House (114 – 1)!  What About Burris?
4. Rod Blagojevich Not first Governor to be Charged.
5. Governor Blagojevich, Cuffed and Jailed!

Party-on Garth! Bono, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Barrack Obama and more.  Is this going to be a show or what?   Obamapalooza!  The news media can’t wait.  January 20th we are going to spend $150 million dollars of taxpayer money to swear in our new President, Barrack Hussein Obama.  And, it comes at a time when the economy, according to the guy we are inaugurating and most others, is in its worst shape since the Great Depression.  The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies printed some 240,000 tickets for official events to be distributed for free through Senate and House offices to constituents, and through the Presidential Inaugural Committee. So that’s it. No appropriations Bill, No voting, just send us (the taxpayer) the tab.

Why the Big Deal? Boomers like to Party

Why the big Party?  What is the purpose?  Seriously, it could be as simple as the President Elect, Barrack Obama placing his hand on the bible (or some other more “politically correct” book or object) and swearing that he will do everything he is supposed to do to uphold the office of the President of the United States.  As a matter of practicality and formality, it could all be done in the Senate or House chambers, or even the White House.  Now that would be real change in Washington!  The News media could witness it, bless our new Messiah and play it on all the News Channels whenever they ran out of real news!  Cost… just another normal day in DC!

Isn’t that what our forefathers did it?  You remember those guys that wrote the simple little document called the U.S. Constitution.  Well sort of, but not exactly.  Click here for the history of it.

How about Super Bowl Style?  Boomers love the Bowl!

Better yet, it could be handled like the Super Bowl.  The television network with the highest bid could sell television advertising slots for Bud Light commercials at a cost of millions of dollars for just thirty seconds.  (It would sure as hell be more interesting … I love Bud Light commercials.)  With the income we could, 1) Pay off a few bad mortgages or a public official; or 2) bail out a few small businesses or maybe the porn industry; or 3) just buy a US Senate seat (Sorry, I couldn’t resist including Illinois in such a spectacular political blunder).

Double Standards

Why three times the cost of any prior inauguration?  … the news Media doesn’t care.  Is it because we elected someone besides a male Caucasian? … the news media does care!  Once again we see the double standard applied when it comes to our new President Elect, Barrack Obama.  Barrack Obama spends $150 million on one party and the news media has no complaints, rather they seem ecstatic.  President Bush was heavily criticised by the news media for throwing away just 1/3 of that amount of money on his big bash.  I recall being critical of that myself.   It is not like we don’t all know exactly who it is going to be … but, in fact, is it because we do all know exactly who it is going to be?  I think we need to remember what we elected in November was a new President of the United States.  It shouldn’t make any difference whether he is black or not … but it seems to.  Everyone likes to say we should leave race out of it.   But, what we are about to experience seems to be exactly what we a trying to deny!

$$$ Cost Effective?

Remember a few weeks ago when the Big Three auto makers were criticised so heavily by the House and Senate for flying on private aircraft to Washington DC to ask for bail out money (isn’t that the way our government officials, and Chief Executives  travel most of the time … including Nancy Pelosi).   More double standards?  I recall the words “cost effective” being used more than once during that time!

Well, according to the US Census Bureau there are 305,620,4448 people living in the United States.  Of them, only 240,000 get tickets to this extravaganza.  (Sorry, its really less than that because many of them go to foreign dignitaries).  Anyway, that means that less than 8/100 of one percent of the US population get the opportunity to attend this event.  That doesn’t seem all that cost effective to me.  Maybe we should consider a better use of this ”spread the wealth” plan.  I wonder if  “Joe the Plumber got a ticket? Maybe instead of using the stimulus packages to get us a check, we can just use those for the big party.

DC Homeless Forced to Move

And , the Washington D.C. homeless are being forced to move until this is all over.  Where does a homeless person move to?  Where do they move from?  If they are homeless how can they be forced to move from somewhere they don’t live?  For $150 million we could buy 3000 of them a $50,000 home, but then they wouldn’t be homeless and we couldn’t make them move.

Too many questions … not enough answers!  How about some more opinions on this!  That’s mine. Party On!  Papa B.

Chicago politics, don’t ya just love it!  It sure has given the news media plenty to report on in the last few weeks.  I hesitate to waste too much time trying to further explain this arrogant boob’s blunders of the past.  But, being from Illinois, it was no surprise that he was under investigation.  It was no surprise that he has multiple corruption complaints against him.  The bigger surprise is that he hasn’t already been put in jail or already been impeached in the past.  He actually got re-elected after his first term of the same stuff!  I don’t know anyone in this state outside of Chicago that doesn’t absolutely despise him.  He has been a stumbling block to the progress in the State of Illinois since he took office.  The biggest accomplishment in Illinois government for the last six years will be the impeachment a sitting governor before he goes to jail like the last one.

Who could have Known?

An easier question to answer is “Who couldn’t have known?  The simple answer to that is nobody in Illinois politics.  I do mean nobody.  Not all of our representatives and senators are guilty of corruption or are dishonest, but all of them, Democrat and Republican alike, either had to know what was going on or are just plain stupid.  This includes President elect Barrack Obama, and I don’t think for a minute he is stupid.  Let’s face it Obama was on the committee to re-elect Blagojevich.  Blagojevich’s best buddy and strongest ally Emil Jones of Chicago was the person who most people in Illinois believe made the previously inexperienced Obama a senator through his tight political connections.  And then there is Raum Emanuel, the expert on how to get it done, no matter what it takes, from Chicago’s 5th district.  How could Obama or anyone else in Illinois politics possibly be unaware of Blagojevich’s tactics?  But it does not stop there.  It is all of them!  You can call it bi-partisan stupidity if you like, I just to call it more Chicago politics.  In Illinois we are very used to it.

What about Roland Burris?

Roland Burris has a respectable record in Illinois politics.  I would have been very satisfied to see him appointed to the position of Junior Senator of Illinois up until the time he accepted the appointment from Rod Blagojevich.  At that point I believe he compromised his own credibility and integrity.  A couple of things bother me about this.  Number one, according to his good friend Secretary of State Jesse White, prior to his appointment by Blagojevich, Burris took the position with Jesse White and Congressman Bobby Rush that Blagojevich should not have the authority to appoint a new senator to Obama’s vacant seat and any appointments made by Blagojevich should not be accepted.  Then, when it was him that was to be appointed, he switched his position completely up to and including threatening law suits to get himself seated.  It was at that point that his motives became questionable.  Secondly, even though he later denounced any racist motive by the U.S. Senate, he allowed the race card to be played by his close ally (Bobby Rush and friends) without recanting anything up to the point it looked like he might actually be seated by the U. S. Senate.  It now seems personal motive is the rule of order with Burris and Blagojevich.

Chicago may not be the largest city in the U.S. but, Illinois is still #1 at something!

For much more on the subject of Click Here!

Related Articles:

• Blagojevich Pleads Insanity!   Yep,  He Thinks Everyone Else Is Nuts!
• Rod Blagojevich Not First Governor to be Charged
• Governor Blagojevich Cuffed and Jailed